When the Bengals lost left guard Clint Boling to a torn ACL last season, they slid Andrew Whitworth over from left tackle and were rewarded with strong run blocking the rest of the way.

That left them with a decision about where to play Whitworth in the future. Anthony Collins, who took over at left tackle, is set to be a free agent and Boling’s outlook for the start of the season is unclear, leaving the Bengals with several options about how to proceed. Whitworth says there haven’t been many discussions about his spot at this point, but he knows which position he’d be playing in a perfect world.

“I’d prefer to play left tackle. I’m a long, lean-lever guy without thick arms or legs. I’m built to play tackle,” Whitworth said, via Geoff Hobson of the team’s website. “I feel like that’s where I’d like to stay. That’s not a firm thing. It’s just what I would prefer.”

Hue Jackson’s ascension to offensive coordinator has come with talk of more focus on the running game and Whitworth’s work at left guard last season would seem to make him a good fit in that spot moving forward. Should Collins return to the team or the Bengals pick up another left tackle possibility this offseason, that spot might belong to Whitworth for the long term.

Left tackle is a more valuable position that’s harder to fill in either the draft or free agency than guard.
Bengals would get more value out of Whitworth playing at left tackle than they would with him playing left guard.

doctorrustbelt says:Feb 11, 2014 3:52 PM

Yeah… the wide receivers are fine.

If you know so much about the NFL… name the TOP 10 wide receiving duos in the NFL.

It ain’t A.J. Green and Marvin Jones.

Marvin Jones only totaled more than 65 yards in FOUR GAMES (FIVE for his two year career).

Marvin Jones is a legitimate #3 wr in the NFL…. NOT a TOP #2.

crownofthehelmet says:Feb 11, 2014 4:03 PM

They should try him at QB. Couldn’t be any worse.

doctorrustbelt says:Feb 11, 2014 4:32 PM

Andy Dalton KNOCKED the pittsburgh steelers OUT of playoff contention the past two seasons.

In 2012… by last second reception for field goal win… and… by DESTROYING the ravens in the final game of 2013.

ENJOY!!!

crownofthehelmet says:Feb 11, 2014 5:01 PM

fact: the Steelers were still in playoff contention hours after the Bengals/Ravens game ended. reading is fundamental.